If a patient with gallstones presents with yellowing of the skin, jaundice has occurred. When jaundice appears, it is often a secondary obstructive jaundice. In such cases, the patient will display symptoms such as lighter stool color, darker urine color, and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes due to jaundice.

Therefore, at this point, the only treatment for the patient is surgery, which typically involves laparoscopic cholecystectomy. By removing the gallbladder, a definitive cure can often be achieved. In severe cases, some cholesterol-lowering medications may be used for symptomatic treatment, but generally, symptoms can be alleviated after surgical removal.